HMAS Mildura (J207/M207), named for the city of Mildura, Victoria, was one of 60 Bathurst class…

HMAS Mildura (J207/M207), named for the city of Mildura, Victoria, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Mildura was laid down by Morts Dock & Engineering Co in Sydney on 23 September 1940.[1] She was launched on 15 March 1941 by Mrs J. Durnford, the wife of the Second Naval Member, and commissioned on 23 July 1941.[1]

Operational history[edit]

In August 1945, the ship was the first Allied vessel to enter Hong Kong.[citation needed] She swept for mines that allowed the Allied fleet to safely enter for the official Japanese surrender.[citation needed]

The corvette received two battle honours for her wartime service: “Pacific 1941–45” and “New Guinea 1943–44”.[2][3]

Mildura was paid off to reserve at Fremantle, Western Australia on 21 May 1948 but was recommissioned on 20 February 1951 for use as a training ship for National Service trainees.[1] Mildura paid off again at Melbourne on 11 September 1953, arrived at Brisbane under tow on 8 December 1954 where she served as an immobilised reserve training ship.[1]

Fate[edit]

Mildura was sold for scrap to Brisbane Non-Ferrous on 8 September 1965

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